The Rice University Neologisms Database

N The presidential scandal involving president Bill Clinton's relations with Monica Lewinsky. Interpretation of intended meaning used to describe the scandal of Bill Clinton having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky while he was married to Hillary Clinton Presumed reason for coinage The Whitewater and Watergate scandals have given the -gate morpheme an association with a presidential scandal. Monicagate was thus coined to refer to a presidents scandalous act with Monica Lewinsky.